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folktale

noun

Definition of folktalenext
as in tale
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of folktale The body horror of birth gives way to the fairy-tale horror of early motherhood, which McBride, a translator based in Barcelona, strews with literary Easter eggs from folktales and Victorian poetry. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Pritam invokes the 18th-century Punjabi Sufi poet Waris Shah, whose version of the Punjabi folktale Heer retells the tragic love story of Heer and Ranjha. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 Disney made its name on the back of fairy and folktales, retelling centuries-old stories and giving them a fresh new spin for modern audiences. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026 Irving may have been influenced by German folktales about a man who slept for 20 years, or European stories of terrifying headless riders, but these stories were set in rural New York state, with a distinctly American voice and references. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for folktale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktale
  1. tale
  2. legend
  3. story
  4. myth
  5. history
  6. romance
Noun
  • Like Primetime, this survival tale about a Special Forces veteran and his combat dog who are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, sells itself upon viewing.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Either way, The Ministry is a perfectly decent action movie based on the real-life tale of a group of World War II commandos on a covert submarine-sabotage mission.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • Very few things in life can actually take attention away from the Florida Gators during football season — especially with a legend like Steve Spurrier set to return home, this time as the program's head coach.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • On the eve of a milestone album, country music legend Randy Travis will be honored by his native Union County on Saturday at the music festival named in his honor.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • Makary's time at the agency was defined by scientific disputes, leadership changes and a string of media stories detailing low morale and internal dysfunction among staffers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a story there, a complicated and disturbing one, but the new Netflix film Unabomber won’t be the one to give it to us.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • Along with names comes a geography of stories, legends, and myths, sewn into the culture and history of the many people who have lived and live—for now—alongside them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, in one crucial scene, Lion delivers a speech that myth-busts perfectionism to the kids’ parents, who are unmoved.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • Scotto’s able to watch customers enjoy dishes rooted in his family’s history—including Grandma’s Potato Croquettes—while employees make money and a brand his family owns continues to grow.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Gray has a long history with the festival, having closed it with The Lost City of Z and marked its anniversary with a special screening of Armageddon Time.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of history
Noun
  • The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in August 2025, took their relationship to the next level after eight months of dating.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Swift and Kelce’s whirlwind romance quickly unfolded from there, with the couple supporting one another on their respective stages.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of romance

Browse Nearby Words

folksy
folktale
folktales
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Folktale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktale. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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